Let’s not beat around the bush and not say there hasn’t been some talks throughout the season surrounding Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla. It seems like the energy around Boston and its fans is championship or bust, and could the blame fall on Mazzulla’s lap?
In only his second full season as head coach he is expected to lead the talented sqaud to the Finals, and rightfully so. However, his lack of experience has come into question multiple times. Let’s also look at another top team in a similar position, the Milwaukee Bucks.
Similar Situations
The Bucks looked fantastic to start the 2024 season under head coach Adrian Griffin and out of nowhere he’s gone and Hall-of-Fame coach Doc Rivers comes flying in. Besides the fact that members of the team thought he “didn’t have control of the locker room”, you can’t deny the fact that he was off to a tremendous start. What I truly think is that Milwaukee knows they have a chance at another ring and they wanted to bring a more experienced guy like Rivers.
Say what you want about Joe Mazzulla with what he’s done with Boston, but the experience aspect just isn’t there and that may be the most important piece to the puzzle deep into the playoffs. There have also been remarks from star players like Jaylen Brown discussing his frustration with Mazzulla’s play style saying “at times we had numbers and got layups…we settled for threes” after a loss earlier in the year to Golden State. This comment was throwing shade at Mazzulla who’s play style is all about shooting the three ball.
I’m not saying Joe Mazzulla isn’t the right man for this Finals run the city of Boston so desperately wants and deserves, but I’m saying that I wouldn’t be surprised if they looked elsewhere. By elsewhere i mean a few seats down the bench.
The Celtics hired former Finals champion Sam Cassell as a member of the 2008 Celtic winning team under Doc Rivers. His experience coaching and playing could play a vital role in leading this young team to the Finals. As an assistant coach with the squad it wouldn’t be a hard firing and hiring job for President Brad Stevens.
Will they be another what if teams to never not win a ring? Only time will tell with Joe Mazzulla leading the pack of one of the most talented teams in the NBA right now.
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